News 12 reporter describes Long Beach as 'black hole'

? News 12 Long Island?s Erin Colton along with a crew are in Long Beach this morning after covering Sandy from the Allegria Hotel. The

LONG BEACH - ? News 12 Long Island?s Erin Colton along with a crew are in Long Beach this morning after covering Sandy from the Allegria Hotel. The crew on the scene has described Long Beach during Sandy as a ?black hole,? where winds were so bad that no person could stand on the boardwalk. Colton described the scene overnight and said the water was so forceful that it was splashing over the boardwalk. News 12 Long Island?s crew had to go to the third floor of the hotel because the water was rising. They are all unharmed and OK. Residents in Long Beach will be evacuated immediately at day-break because the area has no water and sewer service.

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano says the areas of Long Beach and Mill Neck Estates are under a 'do not consume the water' order. It's different from a boil-water advisory in that even boiling the water will not make it safe for consumption.The water is off limits until it has been cleared by testing, Mangano says.The Long Beach city manager says the city is coordinating with all levels of government for immediate evacuations Tuesday morning. Toilets and sinks will not work in Long Beach. The National Guard is in the city to aid in evacuations.

Long Beach water, sewer service down; city being evacuatedCity of Long BeachEmergency ResourcesRed Cross Information